'Abduction' over the phone: how to recognize a new way of fraud

In Indiana, a “kidnapper” called a man from his 34-year-old daughter’s phone number and demanded money, threatening to kill the woman. It all turned out to be a scam. Here's how to recognize an intruder and make sure your loved ones are not in danger.

Фото: Depositphotos

When Mark Walker heard a strange voice on the phone, it took him a few seconds to realize what was happening. The voice belonged to an obviously excited, pissed man who shouted for money and threatened with violence, allegedly holding the young woman hostage, writes USA Today. At the same time, he called from the number of Walker's daughter.

"He says he's going to kill my daughter if I don't give him $1000 quickly," said Walker, 57, of Noblesville, Indiana. “You are overcome with sudden confusion. I knew she had gone to school to pick up her children. Could anything have happened along the way?

The call lasted two minutes, and the man cursed all the time. He demanded that Walker go to Walmart and send him a thousand dollars through the Money Gram.

But Walker was able to calm down and start thinking. He asked to invite his 34-year-old daughter Rachel to the phone, and the man refused.

“That was the first red flag,” Walker said. He then asked his wife to call his daughter from another phone. Rachel answered quickly.

Walker realized that he was a victim of fraud. And he was right.

Virtual kidnapping starts with hackers

The FBI calls these crimes "virtual kidnappings." Hackers gain access to cell phone contact lists and then use technology that makes the call appear as if it is coming from the "victim's" phone.

FBI Special Agent in Indianapolis Doug Casper said that the Bureau is constantly destroying networks of this kind in the United States, but they continue to grow.

“They are becoming more sophisticated, but consumers are becoming more and more aware of them,” he said. “The key is to slow things down, control your emotions.”

The FBI does not have national statistics on virtual kidnapping, because the majority of victims report a crime to the local police or do not tell at all about it. Since the FBI believes that fraud is still common, agents encourage the public to report calls.

Attempt at extortion

According to Walker, it was suspicious for him that the fraudster demanded such a small amount.

“Nobody is going to kidnap someone for just $1000,” the man said. "It's not worth it".

Walker also noted that the caller did not identify Rachel as his daughter, or Walker as her father.

“He kept saying, ‘You know Rachel,’” the man noted.

Adding to the confusion, his son called him, saying he had also received a call—this time about Walker being “kidnapped.” He suggested that scammers are trying to call the most dense database of recipients, counting on success with at least one.

How to recognize a “virtual kidnapping”

The FBI proposes the following steps:

• Use a different way to contact a family member who has allegedly been abducted.
• If you are traveling with an alleged "kidnapping" victim and the person is not present, check with the hotel or place where he is staying to see if he is okay.
• While calling the scammer, have someone call the intended “victim” on another phone.
• Ask for “proof of life” and “proof of possession” - ask for a photograph of the “victim” at that moment or time period.
• Unless the scammer is using a fake phone number for the victim, check the caller ID to see if they are dialing an area code different from the victim's last location. Then ask the caller to dial a number within the area code and call from the “victim’s” mobile.
• Contact the FBI or local law enforcement immediately to report the virtual kidnapping attempt and provide as much information as possible, including a phone number if you have one.
• Report to the FBI Internet Crimes Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

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